How to pronounce headphones
Say it like HED-fohnz. Headphones has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HED).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce headphones. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- HED
- fohnz
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Headphones pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- HEDSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- fohnzGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "o" in go.
American vs British pronunciation of headphones
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: HED-fohnz.
What does headphones mean?
- A pair of cushioned speakers worn over or in the ears so only the wearer can hear the sound.“Circumaural headphones enclose the ear, supra-aural headphones rest on the ear's surface, and earbuds are placed inside the ear.”
- A pair of cushioned speakers worn over or on the ears.
Where does headphones come from?
From head + phones.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
- earphones
- earbuds
Questions about saying headphones
How do you pronounce headphones?
Say HED-fohnz. The American pronunciation is /ˈhɛdˌfoʊnz/. In British English it is /ˈhɛdˌfəʊnz/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in headphones?
Headphones has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HED). Broken into parts: HED · fohnz.
Is headphones pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh". The British form is /ˈhɛdˌfəʊnz/ (HED-fohnz).